What Puja is when during the Diwali Season

Trayodashi: 13th day

Also known as Dhantrayodashi; Dhanwantari(who appeared from sagar manthan) jayanthi; Evening we do jala puja, decorating pots containing water(now taps);
Night oil bath for children. Adults take oilbath early morning before sunrise

Chaturdashi:

The Sharad Navaratri Puja, or Devi puuja in Navaratri falls in the month of Ashwiyuja (generally Oct. ) over a 10 day period. The 10th day is called Vijayadashami, which is auspicious for starting any new venture, initiating the alphabets for children, learning new languages, music or for developing new (improved) relationship with one’s spouse or children or office colleagues.Read the rest of this entry »

Varalakshmi Puja or Vrata is a ceremony performed by women on the Friday before the full moon in the month of Sravana (July/August) and this year it falls on Friday, the 20th. It is commonly performed in the South Indian states of Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The puja is performed to take blessings of the Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth and auspiciousness. As per legend, this vratam was recommended by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati to gain wealth and prosperity. He tells her the story of a lady Charumati who was asked by the goddess Varalakshmi, in her dream, to do the vratam in order to fulfill her wishes. She performed the vratam along with other ladies in her village with great devotion. They offered the deity lots of delicacies and once the vratam was completed, they were amazed to find their bodies decked with expensive jewels and their homes full of riches. From then on, women started performing this vratam every year seeking wealth and prosperity in their families. Read the rest of this entry »

The following octet is called the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. This is a prayer to Goddess Maha Lakshmi who is also called “Shree” and represents wealth as well as auspiciousness. Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam originally appeared in Padmapuranam (Padma Purana). It is considered to have been chanted by Indra, the Lord of the Devas to propitiate Goddess Mahalakshmi.

This sing along version has text in Sanskrit, English and Tamil and meanings in English

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At9o0bej2vY]

The Sanskrit text and meanings are available here in a downloadable format